How I Use Trim | Cessna 172 Private Pilot

[@txkflier]

Each time you change the plane's configuration, you first use the yoke to bring the plane to the proper airspeed and if you find that you're having to hold pressure on the yoke to maintain that airspeed, you then use the trim to relieve the presssure on the yoke. So, it's yoke first, then trim. Don't fly the plane using the trim as if it were the primary pitch control..

[@romeomikezulu3664]

Spot on! 👍🏿🛩

[@jackrittichier6786]

Your daughter seems ready to start flight training, hope she has by now. The look on her face when she noticed how quickly you arrived at the other airport said everything.

[@danmehlman1]

thank you for this. I was under-utilizing trim and just recently realized how much it can do for me. no more sore arm after my lesson.

[@MidlifePilot]

I still don't use it enough as well. It's such a valuable tool.

[@phillipschris2274]

Given better than any CFI I've flown with. Great job!

[@MidlifePilot]

Thank you!

[@anthonypollard3597]

i find as a student pilot using trim proprly can help you make better radio calls and overall just decrease stress when your learning to fly!!!

[@davidd6876]

Actually that was one on the better explanations of trim I have seen. Great job and I am a new subscriber.

[@dmas81]

This helps so much. I started my private lessons a little over a month ago, I keep hearing my instructor say pitch for speed and power for altitude but what wasn’t making sense was the fact that if you pitch for speed you can’t keep your airplane in that attitude, hence which is when the trim comes in to establish both consistent speed and natural attitude of the plane. This was the key I was missing 🤯

[@MidlifePilot]

Trim is magic. Helps so much in every phase. Use it constantly.

[@KrnelPanc]

super cool video. helps a lot. I'm a sim'er not an actual pilot but helps to understand how it really works. at first the girl looked bored, but then she was right on the money at each stage. she'll make a good pilot if she wants.

[@myurkiw1]

This is an excellent explanation of use of trim. Especially how to use it for the landing. Thank you.

[@MidlifePilot]

Thanks, Mark! Glad it was helpful!

[@abrahamnemani3907]

This was awesome. The concept of the trim could not have been better explained and shown.

[@brianparsley7532]

great tips and you use the trim like a pro

[@jamesflies4428]

Gotta say, being a recent subscriber I get to see a very rapid transformation in your flying and confidence. It's awesome! It's good that you've got a co-pilot who looks eager to take the yoke!

[@MidlifePilot]

Appreciate you watching, James! I'm learning every time I fly, and plan to approach it that way forever.

[@airmanparker]

Thanks for the useful instructional video. I came here because I was flying the Cessna C172 in MSFS 2020 and changed the assistence settings for Pilot assisted yoke and could not figure out why I had to push forward on the yoke until rotation speed as it wanted to lift up around 40 IAS. Then I see that in real life compared to the checklist in game says set trim neutral is different. Seems like I will need to trim the nose down when accelerating until 65 IAS or so.

[@tbirddddd]

While I'm really glad so many people find inspiration to fly I stumbled upon this learning to play a flight sim videogame. This is really useful stuff for my sparetime activity, and I'm glad people like you keep flying one of the safest and most enjoyable means of transportation.

[@donatodut9578]

Wow it's such a great explanation on how to use trim unlike the normal way I'm used to be told by my instructor. Thank you so much sir for the good job well done.

[@MidlifePilot]

Thanks. It’s just another way of thinking about trim that I’ve found helpful.

[@smflyboy]

Good stuff! I am a student pilot with about 40 hours and have been learning to use pitch for airspeed and power for altitude and rate of descent on my approaches. I started wondering if pilots use trim on approach and landing thinking that it might help me stabilize my approaches. So, I went looking and found your video. I’m going to try it on my next solo flight. I guess one thing to consider is that if you have to go around you have to be mindful of how much nose-up trim you have in and keep in some forward pressure. Thx for the video!

[@gregsweber]

Area of reverse command is where you need more power to fly slower due to the angle of attack. Pitch for speed, power for altitude is common during slow flight and early training but I generally use pitch for aim point and power for airspeed. Much easier that way especially if you plan to fly larger aircraft in the future.

[@RICKROCKERTHEORIGIONAL]

Thank you so much for making this video I am a musician but I always wanted to fly. Thank you for explaining things the way you do so I can live vicariously through you.

[@paden501]

Hey I've been following your channel for the past couple of months (starting back at your student pilot videos) and I've just got to say that I'm amazed at how much the quality of your videos has improved recently (as well as your confidence in the cockpit). If you keep putting out quality content like this your channel is going to explode sometime soon. Loving following your content!

[@MidlifePilot]

Very kind, thank you.

[@tedhosaflook8253]

EXCELLENT Video I am from Morgantown WV and soloed a 172 three times in 2010 and ran out of money to finish flight training and this video makes me want to get back to flight training

[@romeomikezulu3664]

I hope you get back! Getting to solo is half the battle you are very close and should get back at it. Check on the AOPA Rusty Pilot Series in your area and attend a free class to get you back in the cockpit.

[@romeomikezulu3664]

Great content! Thanks for taking the time to make this video 🙏🏿

[@MidlifePilot]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@matthewhilger1942]

Thanks for this video! I am preparing to start my training and am trying to learn as much as I can before stepping in an airplane. This is one of the things I didn't really understand and this was extremely helpful! Hopefully I can start training soon!

[@josephculbertson1108]

That was a great lesson! Excellent use of trim, and great landing at that groundspeed! Keep up the good work!

[@MidlifePilot]

Thanks a lot!

[@randallbrown229]

simple rule , in altitude changes, up or down, try thinking this way ... nose = airspeed, power = rate.

[@dkbrowny]

Excellent explanation Chris! I see CFI in your future. And “reverse command” is a new one for me. Makes total sense. Thanks for the great video!

[@MidlifePilot]

Thanks man. Appreciate it! Definitely do some Googling of the topic - I scratched the surface, but the real interesting (and dangerous) component of the region of reverse command (or being behind the power curve) comes when you need to stop your descent or even climb, but even with full power you can't immediately do so because you don't have enough power & speed to counteract the amount of drag you have (normally because of flaps out).

[@above7833]

Thanku 4 taking the time 2 do this video…

[@cyberfiche]

Great vid! Thanks for sharing your trim tips!

[@amandastubbs1763]

Hi, thanks for an excellent explanation and demonstration of trim. I am also a mid-life student pilot and all the training manuals just say 'trim' but not which way (nose up or nose down). I have flown a fair few hours now and I have a better appreciation but your explanation is the best I have come across! Now.....can you teach me to land consistently well, please?? 🤣 PS, isn't it an amazing thing to be able to do? I still pinch myself.

[@Tsteps]

I like watching your videos. I’ve been flight training at KDWU, a hop and a skip from you. Just passed my written and have my practical remaining.

[@freshquinceoftheair8599]

Probably one of the best flight videos I’ve ever seen, you’re great!👍🏽

[@MidlifePilot]

You're kind. I have a lot to learn, but I'm very glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching.

[@henrikolsen5]

Very valuable demo. Thanks a lot for this.

[@Cherokee140Pilot]

Just found you, and nice video. I fly out of 55I Slate Run in Roane County WV. Once Whiskee is out of the shop, hopefully we can catch up with you. Blue Skies!

[@MidlifePilot]

That’s be great! Thanks for watching!

[@marksmith867]

Great video on trim, thank you 👍

[@MrSixstring2k]

Great explanation on the use of trim., great video.

[@MidlifePilot]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@bostinaycock8316]

I really like your videos man. Good energy

[@GlennGoryl]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@gsp-greenstripepilot9508]

Well done

[@mlarson]

Great and easy to understand video, I'm just over 10 hours in my training

[@freeflyesperance3392]

Phenomenal content. Thank you

[@MidlifePilot]

Thank you for watching!

[@Cosme422]

Excellent video. Thank you for doing these. I like your videos. I feel that this video was missing AOA conversation, which comes into play in these maneuvers. Do you have an AOA indicator?

[@christiannoble5140]

Once you start instrument training this becomes even more important for maintaining altitude while your attention is divided more AND to fly an approach at 90 Kts and 500-700 FPM decent. 👍

[@MidlifePilot]

Excellent point. Thanks for watching! Looking forward to starting instrument training in the near future.

[@Rawbful]

love it. you really helped this click for me.

[@jasonbushell7080]

Really great video. 👍

[@dehiguey]

Thank you for a very useful video about how to trim an airplane, I am an student pilot and it mades me feel that I was trainning right there with you, great work!

[@cpy]

Well, make sure you understand what the region of reverse command is as well

[@MidlifePilot]

Correct. I'm sure Rafael is getting that from his instructor. A little outside the scope of this video. As always, and disclaimed in every video, is that this is not flight instruction, but entertainment. That is, however, a great idea for another episode.

[@dehiguey]

I understand that this is not a training video, but for an after solo student ,like miself, your videos help me greatly. Thank you very much, and keep up the great work!

[@viniciusgotardelo6485]

good technique

[@Calgold49]

I really like your videos! Thanks!

[@ryanr6240]

Ha ha, I've been practicing applying trim in the Cessna in Flight Simulator 2020, good to see a real world example. I think I will plan your exact flight in Simulator, would be a quick easy trip.

[@glendaescudero]

That was so instructional!!! Better that my CFI!!!!

[@veloman338]

Good job of explaining this topic! Well shot too. What equipment are you using to get your voice audio onto your recording equipment from your head set? Thanks.

[@MidlifePilot]

Hi Tim, thank you. I'm using just a 1/4" TRS cable from one of the back seat headset hacks into a Zoom H4n audio recorder.

[@M27-f4f]

Great explanation of when and how to properly use trim and power settings. How do you like your David Clark oneX?

[@MidlifePilot]

Thanks. And I love the headset! The noise reduction is fantastic and they’re small and light.

[@adrianstealth340]

great vid thanks , what about left & right trim ?

[@MidlifePilot]

This airplane doesn’t have rudder trim.

[@adrianlee30]

As a private pilot who’s getting older as each day passes and not getting to fly, I must say you keep my dreams and hopes alive. Is this your personal c172?? New subscriber

[@MidlifePilot]

Hey Adrian, welcome! That’s my flying club’s leased 172.

[@Davi3038849844]

@@MidlifePilot can you descend with nose up trim?

[@LtKrunchy]

The quintessential taxiing with a Dad & their teenager/preteen… Me: Time to look around & take in the miracle of flight… Them: I gotta send this last text before we take off!

[@JonahCBR]

Ihow do you prevent oscillation when changing power settings? Do you apply back pressure or make sure to cut or increase power slowly and gradually?

[@dennisnbrown]

I would be interested in what speed your plane trues out

[@CuttinEJ]

My question is about speed. When you say MPH, do you mean knots?

[@MidlifePilot]

Nope. I mean miles per hour. Many many airplanes of this vintage are in MPH.

[@TheKalbo789]

Does anyone know what software or hardware the creator is using to record his audio ?

[@MidlifePilot]

Hi there. I'm using a Zoom h4n recorder connected to a rear seat intercom jack with a -20dB inline pad to capture audio. That same recorder, using its built-in stereo mic, is recording stereo cockpit audio.

[@larrytolson4135]

I am by NO means a pro at this. I just recently acquired the Microsoft Flight Simulator and I’m taking baby steps with the training modules. Here’s a question: why did you express your speed in miles per hour? I thought air speed was measured in knots.

[@MidlifePilot]

Depends on the airplane. All three planes in our flying club (1965 172, 1973 Cherokee 235, 1973 150) are all primarily instrumented in MPH.

[@larrytolson4135]

@@MidlifePilot hey, thanks for that! I noticed in some planes (in the sim) the airspeed indicator reads out in KPH and knots. I’m pretty sure others are as you mention.

[@PepuDrummer527]

Can you please send me the link of the ipad mount you have and which good suction cup for the windshield? Thanks

[@MidlifePilot]

RAM Yoke mount: www.amazon.com/RAM-Universal-X-Grip-Holder-Tablets/dp/B00DV0UGQY/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=RAM+iPad+mini+yoke+mount&qid=1606759986&sr=8-11

[@Sifo_Dyas]

Was each 10 degree addition of flaps accompanied by a nose up trim? I thought the opposite. I know you're trying to slow the plane down but the flaps cause the nose to want to come up so I thought nose down trim is warranted.

[@amandastubbs1763]

The flaps cause the aircraft to pitch nose down. That helps with visibility but also means you have to hold the nose up a little to keep the correct airspeed. Once it settles at the correct airspeed (allowing for inertia) then you trim nose up to relieve that pull you are making. When you add the last stage of flaps (30° on a C152) there is much more drag so you add a tiny bit of power to prevent sink.

[@caseywomack7957]

When you add flaps the nose wants to balloon causing you to lose airspeed. you have to apply forward pressure on the yolk and then can use trim to ease the amount of forward pressure being applied.

[@pcdoctor2]

How does she like flying?

[@MidlifePilot]

She *loves* it - and I'm so glad.

[@stevez5134]

what app is on the iPad?

[@doubled334]

foreflight